ryan in maine
Member
first, let me apologize. I know the subject is rehashed every so often. I feel it's not such a bad thing however, 'cause something new usually gets added/revealed since everyone's situation is a little different.
trust me, this will read faster than it looks.
now, some things worthy of note:
1). I'm a small-framed, lanky guy (5'8", 155 lbs)
2). I think I have smallish hands (maybe the smaller side of whatever is considered average, I usually wear a medium glove but sometimes require a small) with pointy fingertips and swollen knuckles
3). I wear loose-fitting clothing
4). I've only been shooting a couple times total, and only have notes to show for it (might as well say I'm starting from scratch)
5). I am a young guy and I want to spend under $600 (maybe a little over depending on the deal, but even that looks like it could be tough to spare)
now, some more things worthy of note. my notes on caliber I took from my couple trips going shooting:
.22LR: tons of fun.
.380ACP: kind of a pain in the butt. it's not that I found it difficult to shoot, it's just the availability of platforms it has vs. its more effective relatives.
.38special: a really fun round. really peaked my interest in revolvers as well. +P loads were still fun to shoot, and I wouldn't mind a small revolver with 5 shots of it.
.357mag: definitely a step up over .38+P, haaa. it wasn't bad shooting it out of a heavy revolver, but lighter revolvers weren't much fun to shoot after a few goes. still, I'd carry it in a small revolver for defense.
9mm: not bad @ all. almost as fun as the .38 but definitely has a little more zing. +P took a little getting used to in smaller firearms, but it was easy to understand why it's so popular.
.40S&W: not too bad. I thought it actually felt better out of some of the same firearms compared to the 9mm. I thought this was going to be one of the most unpleasant rounds. I was wrong.
.45ACP: maybe my favorite round after the .38? it didn't seem to have any "snap" to it, if y'know what I mean. it seemed to push rather than tilt, and really kept you on target, especially in 1911-style models.
.45GAP: *shrug* it wasn't bad, but I liked the .45ACP better. the .45ACP felt more "natural", I suppose. I didn't see the point of the .45GAP but I understand it has a dedicated following.
.357Sig: another round I thought I'd hate. really not so bad. tho I'd put it behind .38, 9mm, .40, and .45 as far as how much I liked it. didn't really shoot it as much as the others tho. no one had much going in .357Sig.
10mm: there was an initial period of pure awe... then... I dunno. it reminded me of the .45 more than the .40 as far as recoil goes. but you definitely know it's more serious. I didn't get to shoot it much but, it wasn't so bad. too powerful for me tho. it's something I'd have to build up to.
.44mag: okay, this is where they started messing with me. it was 5 rounds of "whoa... whoa... whoa... whoa... whoa... yowza", haaa. I didn't wanna shoot it any more. that was out of a 4" barrel I think.
I stupidly forgot to take down the makes and models of everything I shot. I know I shot every size of Springfield XD and Glock in their available calibers. and I shot a few Sigs, CZ's, and Beretta's. couple others too, but I don't remember. I think they were CZ variants like a Baby Eagle or something. then I shot some S&W and Taurus revolvers. anyways, moving on...
I have a couple problems. I don't really have anywhere to go and try out firearms. and in addition to that, I don't really have anywhere to go and shoot either. there are only two ranges in get-to-able distance (one outdoor, one outdoor/indoor), and one of them requires someone to vouch for you and requires you purchase an NRA membership thru them, which kind of turned me off from them. I'm not a big fan of that concept.
so I'm pretty much just limited to handling and feeling out a firearm, and @ that, really only the most popular, and often not modern firearms @ the local shops. Glock, S&W, Ruger, Beretta and such. anything else will likely require an internet order and a transfer (altho there is a new shop on Main St. that I haven't checked out yet that looks like they might be more defensive-oriented than the rest of the sport-oriented shops around here). right now I'm dependent on pro-2A gun owner friends with land to shoot on, and it's really inconvenient. I believe this is one of the biggest hinders a rural shooter can face. we just can't get out to a gun shop and a shooting range and get things done like most folks seem to be able to.
I mean, I'd like to handle a Kahr K9, Kahr MK9, Sig 220, Sig 239, Para CCW, Para Nite Tac ST, a Dan Wesson Classic Bobtail, etc and save up for one, but it doesn't seem feasible. even the less expensive firearms I've been looking @ aren't really easily available to me, and I'd rather not make a really large investment in my first firearm, since it will act as a feeler. I'd just like something with a dependable reputation that is hand-friendly.
but moving on again, here's what I've been looking @:
Springfield XD (various models)
CZ 75B ST
EEA Witness (various models)
Walther P99 AS
Beretta PX4 Storm
Glock 36
Kahr CW40
Bersa Thunder ST
Smith & Wesson Model 60 5"
and a few other revolvers...
I think you get the trend I'm setting. so now that I've provided a fair amount of information, I'll ask my questions (despite me having searched the forums and read about as much as I can, sorry)...
1). am I on the right track as far as firearms I'm looking @? is there anything else you would recommend I look @ in that sub-$600 (or less) range?
2). is it a bad idea for a new shooter to buy used? I noticed some of the pricier firearms I eyed were in my price range used, but I realize you can never be totally sure of the work the firearm would require.
3). how would I go about finding land to shoot on @ my own convenience? you can never be sure if you're on private land around here.
4). my pants are all 36" and 38" waists. 36" is my actual size I go to but I have some 38" pants in my dresser in case I move up a weight class. is this sufficient for IWB carry, or will finding a holster be largely trial and error (feel free to recommend a holster for a righty if you recommend a firearm).
5). does anyone have any gun shop etiquette advice? or any other general advice for a new shooter? things you think someone should know and you want to pass on to my generation (born in '84) beyond the 4 rules?
6). an afterthought, maybe an odd question, but do gun shops (online or otherwise) commonly accept monthly payments?
trust me, this will read faster than it looks.
now, some things worthy of note:
1). I'm a small-framed, lanky guy (5'8", 155 lbs)
2). I think I have smallish hands (maybe the smaller side of whatever is considered average, I usually wear a medium glove but sometimes require a small) with pointy fingertips and swollen knuckles
3). I wear loose-fitting clothing
4). I've only been shooting a couple times total, and only have notes to show for it (might as well say I'm starting from scratch)
5). I am a young guy and I want to spend under $600 (maybe a little over depending on the deal, but even that looks like it could be tough to spare)
now, some more things worthy of note. my notes on caliber I took from my couple trips going shooting:
.22LR: tons of fun.
.380ACP: kind of a pain in the butt. it's not that I found it difficult to shoot, it's just the availability of platforms it has vs. its more effective relatives.
.38special: a really fun round. really peaked my interest in revolvers as well. +P loads were still fun to shoot, and I wouldn't mind a small revolver with 5 shots of it.
.357mag: definitely a step up over .38+P, haaa. it wasn't bad shooting it out of a heavy revolver, but lighter revolvers weren't much fun to shoot after a few goes. still, I'd carry it in a small revolver for defense.
9mm: not bad @ all. almost as fun as the .38 but definitely has a little more zing. +P took a little getting used to in smaller firearms, but it was easy to understand why it's so popular.
.40S&W: not too bad. I thought it actually felt better out of some of the same firearms compared to the 9mm. I thought this was going to be one of the most unpleasant rounds. I was wrong.
.45ACP: maybe my favorite round after the .38? it didn't seem to have any "snap" to it, if y'know what I mean. it seemed to push rather than tilt, and really kept you on target, especially in 1911-style models.
.45GAP: *shrug* it wasn't bad, but I liked the .45ACP better. the .45ACP felt more "natural", I suppose. I didn't see the point of the .45GAP but I understand it has a dedicated following.
.357Sig: another round I thought I'd hate. really not so bad. tho I'd put it behind .38, 9mm, .40, and .45 as far as how much I liked it. didn't really shoot it as much as the others tho. no one had much going in .357Sig.
10mm: there was an initial period of pure awe... then... I dunno. it reminded me of the .45 more than the .40 as far as recoil goes. but you definitely know it's more serious. I didn't get to shoot it much but, it wasn't so bad. too powerful for me tho. it's something I'd have to build up to.
.44mag: okay, this is where they started messing with me. it was 5 rounds of "whoa... whoa... whoa... whoa... whoa... yowza", haaa. I didn't wanna shoot it any more. that was out of a 4" barrel I think.
I stupidly forgot to take down the makes and models of everything I shot. I know I shot every size of Springfield XD and Glock in their available calibers. and I shot a few Sigs, CZ's, and Beretta's. couple others too, but I don't remember. I think they were CZ variants like a Baby Eagle or something. then I shot some S&W and Taurus revolvers. anyways, moving on...
I have a couple problems. I don't really have anywhere to go and try out firearms. and in addition to that, I don't really have anywhere to go and shoot either. there are only two ranges in get-to-able distance (one outdoor, one outdoor/indoor), and one of them requires someone to vouch for you and requires you purchase an NRA membership thru them, which kind of turned me off from them. I'm not a big fan of that concept.
so I'm pretty much just limited to handling and feeling out a firearm, and @ that, really only the most popular, and often not modern firearms @ the local shops. Glock, S&W, Ruger, Beretta and such. anything else will likely require an internet order and a transfer (altho there is a new shop on Main St. that I haven't checked out yet that looks like they might be more defensive-oriented than the rest of the sport-oriented shops around here). right now I'm dependent on pro-2A gun owner friends with land to shoot on, and it's really inconvenient. I believe this is one of the biggest hinders a rural shooter can face. we just can't get out to a gun shop and a shooting range and get things done like most folks seem to be able to.
I mean, I'd like to handle a Kahr K9, Kahr MK9, Sig 220, Sig 239, Para CCW, Para Nite Tac ST, a Dan Wesson Classic Bobtail, etc and save up for one, but it doesn't seem feasible. even the less expensive firearms I've been looking @ aren't really easily available to me, and I'd rather not make a really large investment in my first firearm, since it will act as a feeler. I'd just like something with a dependable reputation that is hand-friendly.
but moving on again, here's what I've been looking @:
Springfield XD (various models)
CZ 75B ST
EEA Witness (various models)
Walther P99 AS
Beretta PX4 Storm
Glock 36
Kahr CW40
Bersa Thunder ST
Smith & Wesson Model 60 5"
and a few other revolvers...
I think you get the trend I'm setting. so now that I've provided a fair amount of information, I'll ask my questions (despite me having searched the forums and read about as much as I can, sorry)...
1). am I on the right track as far as firearms I'm looking @? is there anything else you would recommend I look @ in that sub-$600 (or less) range?
2). is it a bad idea for a new shooter to buy used? I noticed some of the pricier firearms I eyed were in my price range used, but I realize you can never be totally sure of the work the firearm would require.
3). how would I go about finding land to shoot on @ my own convenience? you can never be sure if you're on private land around here.
4). my pants are all 36" and 38" waists. 36" is my actual size I go to but I have some 38" pants in my dresser in case I move up a weight class. is this sufficient for IWB carry, or will finding a holster be largely trial and error (feel free to recommend a holster for a righty if you recommend a firearm).
5). does anyone have any gun shop etiquette advice? or any other general advice for a new shooter? things you think someone should know and you want to pass on to my generation (born in '84) beyond the 4 rules?
6). an afterthought, maybe an odd question, but do gun shops (online or otherwise) commonly accept monthly payments?
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